Many people have a theology that leap frogs the story of Israel in the Old Testament. They jump from Adam to Christ because they view the cross as getting us back to Adam.

This approach to scripture has led to many erroneous teachings, because many “dominion” theologies have spun from it, such as the one that claims that we are little gods.

When the story of Israel in the Old Testament becomes important to us, we will shun such teachings that claim we are gods, for the narrative of the story of Israel repeatedly addresses this issue of idolatry within the heart of men.

It is idolatry that causes a man to want to claim “we are gods,”

When God gave to Israel the Ten Commandments, the first three commands address this very thing.

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. ~ Exodus 20:2-7

The fourth commandment was to keep the Sabbath holy as a reminder that GOD had rested on the Sabbath day.

God alone is the creator, and that he alone is God is repeated over and over to the people of Israel. The Sabbath was to serve as a reminder to Israel that they we to serve the Creator, and not themselves.

Yet idolatry was a constant problem in Israel, even as it is within the church. Men love to be idolized and want to think they are gods. They re not.

God said to Israel, “I am God, and there is no other.”

Some think that the curse of the law was simply death for sin, and that redemption from the curse of the law means being restored to a “god-like” status, because they think that is what redemption is all about.

They are wrong. And the reason they think this way is because they have leapfrogged the story of Israel in their theology and doctrine.

The curse of the law was exile, and the reason for the exile was predominately idolatry.

Christ did not redeem us to be gods, he redeemed us from idolatry when he redeemed us from the curse of the law, so that from a pure heart we would serve the Living God.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God? ~ Hebrews 9:14

Leapfrogging God’s covenant with ancient Israel leads to many unsound ideologies, and you will not truly understand the finished work of Christ’s redemption if you read the Bible in such a manner.

There are many people who recognize the words of John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Many can quote these words verbatim. Unfortunately, many of those same people do not know the context in which the words are spoken.

Let us consider, briefly, the context of God’s love in John 3:16 to better understand God’s love as it is revealed in scripture. Let’s begin with verses 14-15:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Now consider the Old Testament account from which Jesus references in verses 14-15 above.

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto theLord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. ~ Numbers 21:5-9

The serpent of brass which God commanded Moses to make was the atoning provision to save the people from the judgment which God had sent. Notice that the text says: “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” (v.6)

According to Jesus, this was a type of how God would deliver us from our sins, and it was an Old Testament foreshadowing of how God would display his love for us in Jesus Christ.

Sinful man is under the judgment of God, but God sent his son to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all who will repent and turn to him, and this is how God so loved the world. He gave his only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

Now consider John 3:17 – 21:

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. ~ John 3:16 – 21

Now notice verse 36:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

God gave his Son to bestow his love on all who would humbly turn from their sins. God’s love for all people is revealed in his giving of his Son, with the condition, that the recipients of his love turn from their sins.

Those who refuse to turn from their sins by rejecting the precious gift of God, which he gave through the offering of his Son, have consequently rejected the love of God. Therefore they are condemned, and are under God’s wrath.

Whether we like it or not, there are people throughout the world who hate God because they love their sins. God’s love is extended to them, calling them to repentance. If they persist in their rebellion against God, refusing to humble themselves, they will be judged and damned in their sins: In this way, they are under the wrath of God.

The New Testament teaches that God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man he has appointed: Jesus Christ.

God has given his Son as the witness of himself, and in the Son, God offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy, to all people. Those who believe God’s witness, in his Son, receive life everlasting through God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy; which is freely given in Jesus Christ.

Those who reject the Son of God; reject the love, mercy, and grace, God has offered them. God is holy and just to be displeased and angry with those who refuse to humble themselves before him so that they may receive mercy and grace.

On the day of judgement, those who reject God’s love will have no intercessor, no advocate to defend them, and will stand before a holy and righteous God with all their sins exposed before him. They will be judged for their sins because of their defiance of his goodness, and their rejection of the love God offered them in Jesus.

For them, there will no forgiveness when they stand before God to be judged. They will be judged, not by God’s compassion, but by God’s wrath.

Modern Day Charismatic Christianity has made a much of the word prophetic.

Almost everything is titled prophetic: prophetic worship, prophetic evangelism, prophetic life coaches, etc. It seems that people feel the need to make everything “prophetically” influenced. The word prophetic is not biblical word. Yes, prophecy is a biblical word, but prophetic is not. There is no teaching in the New Testament which encourages us to be prophetic in our worship, teaching, counseling, etc.

We are not instructed to make everything surrounding ministry prophetic in nature or function. The Bible does instruct us regarding the gift of prophecy, and prophecy does have a distinct function within Christian ministry.

Can prophecy come during a time of worship? Absolutely! Can a minister teaching the Bible have a word of prophecy given to him while he is ministering? Absolutely! However, worship is worship, teaching is teaching, and prophecy is prophecy. Sometimes they may blend, but not always.

Feeling the need to make nearly every spiritual activity prophetic is not being spiritual. it is being mystical, or sensational, which opens the door to error.

Now, if the word prophetic were only used as a description of those isolated times when a minister, who is teaching has a word of prophecy, or a person worshipping has a word of prophecy, there would be nothing wrong with the use of the word prophetic in these cases.

However, when we attempt to change the function of spiritual activities such as worship, counseling, teaching, etc., into something that is prophetic in nature we then begin to err from the truth.

In Acts 8, Philip the evangelist went to Samaria and preached Christ to the people. There is no record that Philip attempted to minister prophetically to the people. He stayed within his gifting as an evangelist.

When the leadership in Jerusalem received word concerning the reception of the gospel by the Samaritans, they sent Peter and John to further minister to them. During this time, Peter confronted Simon the sorcerer, most likely by the gift of the word of knowledge.

Every minister has their own gifting and limitations, but it seems so many want to either be an apostle and or a prophet, or at the very least label their ministry as apostolic or prophetic.

This ideology is dangerous because Christians and Christian ministers who think this way can stray from the truth and become less grounded in Christ and New Testament doctrine. It truly opens to door to mysticism and sensationalism.

During the time of Jesus, the people were astounded at his doctrine. In fact, if you would take the time to examine the ministry of Jesus, you will find that Jesus taught and preached sound words to the people and it was his doctrine that was often the point of discussion among the people.

After the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew tells us the following:

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine. ~ Matthew 7:28

After Jesus began his public ministry, Mark tells us, “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” ~ Mark 1:21-22

Jesus did prophesy, but he did not attempt to make everything he said or taught prophetic. For example, Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth.” He did not say. true worshippers will worship prophetically.

Oh how we need sound doctrine regarding the gift of prophecy or else we will abuse this precious gift: a gift I have personal experience with.

Thank God for the gift of prophecy – let’s not abuse it, but use it properly, and refrain from the excesses and errors that abuse it.

There are some who claim that Isaiah 45 is literally a prophecy about Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, even though it specifically applies to King Cyrus whom God chose at a critical time in Jewish history to help the Jews who returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem.

Now, if a person wants to believe that God has raised up Donald Trump, similar to how he raised up King Cyrus, that’s one thing, but the moment the claim is made that Isaiah 45 is a prophecy about Donald Trump that is error.

Allow me to explain why it is bad interpretation of scripture to claim that Isaiah 45 is prophetic of Donald Trump.

Isaiah, who prophesied about King Cyrus, also prophesied about John the Baptist, and about Jesus.

If we can take a prophecy which applies to King Cyrus and claim it is prophetic of Donald Trump, we swing the door wide open for others to claim that the prophecies in Isaiah concerning Jesus and John the Baptist could apply to others.

If someone were to come along and quote Isaiah 61:1 and apply it to a spiritual leader, other than Jesus, we who follow Jesus would quickly condemn it because the Bible reveals that Isaiah 61:1 applies to Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus quoted this text in Luke 4, and applied it to himself, and stated that it was fulfilled!

In like manner, the prophecy which applies to King Cyrus was also fulfilled when God raised up Cyrus to do what God called him to do.

Prophetically, Isaiah 45 speaks of King Cyrus, and the words that Isaiah prophesied applies to King Cyrus. They do not apply prophetically to Donald Trump.

Doctrinally speaking, we can see that God will use anyone he chooses to. In fact, the Bible declares that Nebuchadnezzar was God’s instrument to bring judgment on the Jews. In the same way that God used Nebuchadnezzar, God chose to anoint King Cyrus to carry out his plan for the Jewish people at the end of the captivity.

In like manner, God could have chosen to use Donald Trump, and God could use any democrat he chooses to as well. God can use any world leader he wishes to use to accomplish his purposes, but Isaiah 45 is not a prophecy about the person of Donald Trump.

• It is unbiblical to make such claims.
• It endorses the “private interpertation” of those who claim to have prophetic insight but who don’t have good doctrine regarding Bible prophecy.
• It elevates Donald Trump, almost to the point of idolatry.
• Christians who believe Donald Trump is the fulfilment of Bible Prophecy are reluctant to hold him accountable when he does wrong.

Isaiah was not prophesying about Donald Trump, even as he wasn’t prophesying about Vladimir Putin, Queen Elizabeth, or Hillary Clinton. Isaiah 45 was fulfilled in King Cyrus, the ancient king of Persia some 500-600 years before Christ.

 

There are some who teach that there is going to be an “end time transfer of wealth,” and that the body of Christ (the collective body of believers who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) is going to become “wealthy” through this transfer.

Those who teach this do so based on the “prophetic words” of certain ministers whose prophecy is treated as “authoritative,” rather than being tested according to scripture. 

We must be cautious when ministers have prophetic words for the collective body of Christ, which has become the norm in some arenas of Christian ministry. In such cases, prophecy is elevated to the “authoritative”  status of Biblical doctrine. This is serious error.  Rather than teaching the truth according to scripture, these prophetic words are preached and taught, and those who teach these prophetic words do so with scriptures which have been taken out of context to support their prophecies.

The Word of God instructs us to judge all such prophecy, and the best way to judge the prophetic words of men is by the whole counsel of God given in the scriptures, and there is nothing in scripture which teaches that there will be an “end time transfer of wealth.”

In fact there are some lazy people within the church, and the apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonians not to keep company with such people, even though they are believers.

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

¹⁴ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

¹⁵ Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15

Paul certainly did not teach an end-time wealth transfer that would benefit the collective body of the church, for he instructed the Thessalonians to have no company with lazy believers who would not work so that they would ashamed.

The text which has been mishandled by those who prophecy and teach “an end time wealth transfer,” is found in the book of Proverbs: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. ~ Proverbs 13:22

There is nothing in Proverbs 13:22, or the balance of scripture, which speaks of a wealth transfer in an end time context, from one collective body (sinners in the world) to another collective body (the church).

Proverbs 13:22 is contrasting between the inheritance which a good man leaves behind (whether it be earthly possessions or a heritage of righteousness, etc.,) and the wicked, whose wealth will eventually make its way into the hands of the righteous because “the memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” ~ Proverbs 10:7

Regarding the wicked, the Psalmist says, “Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.” ~ Psalm 109:13

Concerning the righteous, he says, “the generation of the upright shall be blessed.” ~ Psalm 112:2

The Bible speaks often of the generation of the upright being blessed, while the generation of evil doers perish. By the providence of God, that which wicked people lay up for themselves in their greed, will eventually make it into the hands of those who will use it for godly purposes. This is a spiritual truth, and not a prophetic word that Christians are going to have unearned wealth lavished on them in the last days.

Jesus was revealed to Israel in the writings of Moses and by the prophets. He was revealed to Israel by John the Baptist. He was revealed to Israel by the things Jesus said and by the works which God did through Him. He was revealed to Israel by the witness of His followers and the preaching of the apostles. Lastly He is revealed to Israel by the mercy that God has bestowed on the Gentiles.

The Gospel is freely offered to every Jew. Today is the day of salvation and any Jew who believes will be saved. God has no favorites and He will not treat those Jews who reject the Gospel of His Son, with any preferential treatment. There is no other alternative for the Jew apart from the Gospel. Those who reject Jesus Christ will be held accountable for rejecting the Gospel!

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY MOSES:

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. ~ John 5:44-46

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. ~ Acts 3:22-23

This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. ~ Acts 7:37

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE PROPHETS WHOM GOD SENT TO THEM:

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ~ Acts 3:18-26

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.~ Acts 10:43

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. ~ Acts 13:40-41

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST:

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. ~ John 1:30-34 

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ~ Matthew 3:8-10

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE WORDS AND WORKS OF JESUS:

He that rejects Me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. ~ John 12:48

Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the WORKS of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. ~ John 10: 36-38 

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all): that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ~ Acts 10:34-43

THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE SALVATION OF THE GENTILES:

As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ~ Romans 9:25-33

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. ~ Romans 10:18-21

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Romans 11:11

The anticipation of the building of  a third temple in Jerusalem is mounting as many evangelical Christians look to the Middle East, persuaded that such a temple will eventually become the center of a futuristic reign of Christ.

Those who embrace this view may be surprised to learn that God has never requested, or desired a permanent house made with human hands.

In Acts 17, the apostle Paul preaching at Mars Hill, to the men of Athens, said the following:

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things… ~ Acts 17:24-25

In scripture, the first temple (aka Solomon’s temple) was build as a result of a desire in David’s heart to build God a house.

Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains. Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. ~ 1 Chronicles 17:1-2

Later, God spoke to Nathan the prophet in response to David’s desire to build God a house. 

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars? Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth. Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning, And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the Lord will build thee an house. And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. ~ 1 Chronicles 17:3-15

Though Solomon, David’s son, built the first temple, the words of God in the 1 Chronicles 17 were prophetic of another of David’s descendants. The one referred to by God would have an everlasting Kingdom, and it is he who will build a house for God. This is a reference to none other than the Messiah, Jesus. 

Solomon’s kingdom was not a lasting kingdom, and the temple built by Solomon was eventually destroyed because of God’s judgment against the apostasy of the nation. The second temple, renovated by Herod, which was the standing temple during the time of the earthly ministry of Jesus, was also destroyed because of God’s judgment against Israel in 70 A.D.

If Jesus is the one who is going to build the house God desires, what sort of house will he build? How will it coincide with his reign as King, and when will Jesus reign as King?

THE ENTHRONEMENT OF CHRIST

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in the gospel of Luke, he said concerning Jesus, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” ~ Luke 1:32

Though some interpret the reign of Christ from the throne of David as a future millennial throne previously occupied by the anti-Christ, the Bible teaches that Jesus is enthroned now at the right hand of God.

According to the authors of the New Testament, the exaltation of Jesus at the right hand of God is the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would raise up his Son, the Messiah, to reign upon the throne of David.

In Acts 2, Peter interprets the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus at the right hand of God as the fulfillment of the scriptures that the Messiah would reign from the throne of David.

Notice carefully how Peter articulates this:

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ~ Acts 2:30-36

In the texts above, Peter is quoting David from Psalm 110 when he says, “the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.”

FIRST, notice the words “the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand…”

Peter quotes this in reference to David, as a prophet, knowing that God would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne. So as a prophet, foreseeing the enthronement of the Messiah, David said, “The Lord said unto my Lord, sit on my right hand.” As a prophet, David foresaw by the Spirit of God that the promise of the Messiah reigning on his throne would not be an earthly enthronement, but a heavenly enthronement, at the right hand of God.

In the gospels, Jesus said: “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet”‘ (Mark 12:36, See also Matthew 22:41-45).

SECONDLY, notice the next part of the text that Peter quotes from David: “till I make your enemies your footstool.”

These very same words are employed by the author of Hebrews in describing the enthronement of Jesus at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:13; 10:13) and in 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 the apostle Paul applies them to the exalted Jesus as well.

Also Psalm 110 is the Psalm which testifies that the Messiah would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v.4). The author of Hebrews expounds on this and tells us that Jesus, the exalted King at the right hand of God, is also our great high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

The historical Melchizedek (Genesis 14) prefigured Christ as a King and Priest, and not a priest only. Under the Law of Moses one could not be a King and a priest.  The priests came only from the tribe of Levi and the Kings were descendants of David from the tribe of Judah.

The writer of Hebrews explains how Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah (the tribe of King David), is qualified to be a priest. He is qualified because His priestly ministry is not earthy (Hebrews 8:4), but heavenly, at the right hand of God where he is now enthroned. ~ See Hebrews 8:1-3

THIRDLY, Notice that David specifically identifies the Messiah as his Lord: “The Lord said to my Lord…”

In Acts 2 Peter says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both LORD and Christ” (v.36).

Peter doesn’t tell the people of Israel that Jesus will be Lord when he one day returns. Peter declares that Jesus is Lord and Messiah now, at the right hand of God. The gospel which was preached to house of Israel by the apostles, was not a gospel of a futuristic enthronement of the Messiah, but rather, the declaration of His exaltation now!

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

When he had by himself purged our sins, (He) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High…  ~ See Hebrews 1:3

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ~ Hebrews 1:8 

I (Paul) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. ~ Ephesians 1:17-23

Notice that Paul says in Ephesians 1 (above), Christ is already enthroned in Heaven above everything in this world and in the world to come, having all things under His feet.

Jesus enthroned at the right hand of God is not a temporary enthronement as he awaits a lesser throne in Jerusalem, Israel. Rather, Jesus entered into his glory after his resurrection (Luke 24:26; John 17:5, 24; Acts 2:33; 3:13) and was enthroned at the right hand of God, where the New Jerusalem is – the true Holy City of God (Hebrews 12:22-24). From there, Christ will reign forever!

When Christ returns he is not taking a lesser throne, for he has been made Higher than the Heavens, in his exaltation (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus reigns forever, being highly exalted at the right hand of God, and in that Majestic power, authority, and glory; He will come again!

THE TEMPLE OF GOD

If Jesus has already entered into his glory, and exalted as King at the right hand of God, what sort of the temple will he build?

First, allow me to point out that the pervasive ideology which states that Jesus will return to occupy a stone and mortar temple, also states it will be built by unbelieving Jews before his return. Many believe that the anti Christ will at some point occupy this temple.

Yet the Word of God unequivocally states that Jesus, and not the Jews, will build God’s temple. Notice again, God’s words to David through the prophet Nathan:

I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.  I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore. ~ 1 Chronicles 17:11-14

According to the Bible, Jesus is the cornerstone, which God has laid in Zion. He is the foundation stone of the true house of God which is built not by man, but by the Spirit of the Living God. The true house of God is built with living stones. (1 Peter 2:5). These living stones are Jews and Gentiles who obey Jesus Christ and abide in Him.

Nowhere in scripture will you find a “rebuilt – man made – temple” of which the Lord Jesus Christ will return to fill with His Glory. The temple which is filled with his glory is the temple which he is building with those who trust in him.

For through him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:18-22

The true temple of God of which Jesus is the foundation, and his followers are the building, is out in the open, loud and clear, revealed in the New Testament. ~ See John 2:19-20; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16 -17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:12-22; 1 Peter 2:5

All man-made structures in scripture, were only types and shadows of the true temple which is in Christ.

The writer of Hebrews tells us emphatically that we who hold to faith in Jesus are Christ’s house!

For this man (Jesus) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. ~ Hebrews 3:3-6

Stephen testified of this truth in the book of Acts: Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. ~ Acts 7:48-51

Stephen’s declaration comes from the words of God through Isaiah the prophet: Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. ~ Isaiah 66:1-2

Notice, that in contrast to the words of God, “where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?” God says, “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

Those to whom God will look are those who have a humble or circumcised heart in the sight of God.  The true temple of God is not built with human hands, but with circumcised hearts, and it is this temple that God himself inhabits by his Spirit.

Under the Law, Jerusalem in Israel was the place of worship, but in John 4:21, Jesus made it clear that the time was then near when those who worship God would no longer worship in a physical temple within Israel, but true worshipers will worship God in the Spirit and in truth.

In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul says, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

While some continue to anticipate a Jewish Temple to be rebuilt (a temple that would only cause unsaved Jews to continue in their rejection of the Messiah should it ever be built) the true Temple of God consisting of Jews and Gentiles is being built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and this is the holy habitation of God through the Spirit.